How to Travel Japan by Train Without JR Pass, Best Alternatives 2024

You can travel Japan by train WITHOUT a JR Pass by purchasing single-journey Shinkansen bullet train tickets, opting for a regional JR Pass, or paying for local transportation with an IC card. You may even do all three! Now that the price of the Whole Japan Rail Pass has drastically increased, it's not likely to save you money. But there are plenty of alternatives in 2024. Here are the best ones!

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Buy Shinkansen bullet train tickets on Klook: https://geni.us/shinkansen

Smart EX: https://smart-ex.jp/en/index.php

JR Fare Calculator (to see whether the JR Pass is worth it): https://kenshoquest.com/recommends/jr...

Hokuriku Arch Pass: https://geni.us/hokurikuarchpass
More info: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pas...

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More info: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pas...

Kansai Wide Area Pass: https://geni.us/kansaiwideareapass
More info: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ti...

Sanyo-San’in Rail Pass: https://geni.us/sanyosaninpass
More info: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ti...

Hokkaido Rail Pass: https://geni.us/hokkaidopass
More info (scroll down): https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/e...

Hakone Free Pass: https://geni.us/hakonefreepass
More info: https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/...


JR COMPANIES

JR Hokkaido: https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/i...
JR East: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/
JR Central: https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/
JR West: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/
JR Shikoku: https://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/global/en/
JR Kyushu: https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/


WATCH NEXT 🎞

Beginner's Guide to Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Trains:    • Beginner's Guide to Japan's BULLET TR...  

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Is the JR Pass Worth it in 2024?    • Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth it 2024?...  

How to Get to Kyoto from Tokyo without JR Pass:    • How to Get to Kyoto & Osaka from Toky...  

Guide to Hokuriku Arch Pass:    • Japan's NEW GOLDEN ROUTE: Guide to Ho...  

Dos & Don'ts of Train Travel in Japan:    • Dos & Don'ts of Train Travel in Japan...  



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🌺 ABOUT US

Aloha! We are a worldschooling family with three young kids. Our home base is the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. We've been living a nomadic lifestyle for the past 15 years. We hope to inspire you to begin your own quest!